Top 10 Craziest Game of Thrones Theories That Might Be True

VO: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Michael Wynands
On a road this bloody and full of twists and turns, pretty much anything can happen. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Craziest Game of Thrones Theories That Might Actually Be True.
For this list, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most popular but admittedly wild theories heading into the HBO series’ final season. If it appears on this list, it’s the sort of theory that, if true, would be a major shocker, but… based on the show’s track record, also lands well within the realm of possibility. As such, highly anticipated but probable events like “Cleganebowl”, will not be included. Similarly, we won’t be considering anything too crazy like Varys being a Merman. Also, it should go without saying, but there will be for seasons 1 through 7.

On a road this bloody and full of twists and turns, pretty much anything can happen. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Craziest Game of Thrones Theories That Might Actually Be True.

For this list, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most popular but admittedly wild theories heading into the HBO series’ final season. If it appears on this list, it’s the sort of theory that, if true, would be a major shocker, but… based on the show’s track record, also lands well within the realm of possibility. As such, highly anticipated but probable events like “Cleganebowl”, will not be included. Similarly, we won’t be considering anything too crazy like Varys being a Merman. Also, it should go without saying, but there will be for seasons 1 through 7.

#10: Littlefinger Isn’t Actually Dead

After all of his devious plots and backstabbing, it was extremely satisfying to see Littlefinger finally get what was coming to him. Some fan theorists, however, are cautioning us that we should be hesitant to celebrate too soon. You see, one quickly forgotten scene in season 7 saw a woman whisper something to Littlefinger and receive a coin. Could Littlefinger have been warned of his impending demise? And might the ever-conniving Littlefinger have hired himself a body double in the form of a faceless man? Perhaps the person who gave him the news was already simply wearing a face? Of course, even if Littlefinger did really die, he might appear to have survived should Arya choose to wear his face.

#9: Sam is Telling the Whole Story

At this point, it’s very difficult to predict how the show will end. Instead, some fans have instead opted to venture a guess as to who will survive to tell it. Every story has a narrator. So what if, at the end of it all, we learn that the story we’ve just heard is as retold by an aging Maester Samwell Tarly? At the Citadel he suggests an alternative title for the history book being written, showing an interest in cataloging the period in which he’s living. Among those who have expressed an interest in this theory is Sam’s own actor, John Bradley. Like many fantasy writers before him, George R.R. Martin has taken a lot of inspiration from The Lord of the Rings, and this theory suggests one final homage to Tolkien’s masterpiece as the series wraps up.

#8: Jon Is Not “The Prince That Was Promised”

According to the followers of the Lord of Light, “The Prince That Was Promised” is a savior destined to battle the darkness and the reincarnation of the legendary hero Azor Ahai. Melisandre, the red priestess, originally treats Stannis Baratheon as the promised prince, but… hey, we all make mistakes! Following his death and resurrection, Jon Snow seems like the logical choice. But this is Game of Thrones we’re talking about, so the obviousness of this has inspired some to look for a twist. After his near-death experience at the Battle of Blackwater, some believe it’s actually Ser Davos, in keeping with the born "amidst salt and smoke" part of the prophecy. Given the difficulty of translating High Valyrian, others have suggested that it’s not necessarily a gendered prophecy and that Dany could be the savior.

#7: Jaime Will Kill Cersei

When Cersei was a young girl, she visited a witch who delivered a prophecy. In short, the witch told Cersei that she would bear three children, golden-haired, all of whom would die - check. She would be queen for a time, only to be replaced by a younger one - check. While they skipped it in the show, in the books, the witch also predicts that Cersei would be killed by the “Valonqar”, which means “little brother”. Naturally, given their animosity, people assumed Tyrion was the little brother destined to kill her. But since her twin brother Jaime was born second, he’s technically a little brother as well. As Cersei grows increasingly unhinged and Jaime seemingly more morally conflicted, a tragic sibling/lovers quarrel could see her brother-lover realize the prophecy in an unexpected way.

#6: Gendry is Cersei & Robert's Son

It’s safe to say that the womanizing King Robert sired more than his fair share of bastards over the years. When Joffrey learns of these potential threats to his claim over the throne, he orders a mass execution. To our knowledge, only one bastard survives. But what if Gendry isn’t the bastard people believe? Fans have speculated that he could the child of Cersei and Robert’s wedding night. Cersei hated her husband as of that very night when he said Lyanna Stark’s name instead of her own. Might her hatred of Robert driven Cersei to send his heir away? Perhaps that black-haired child didn’t die as Cersei said.

#5: Jon Will Kill Daenerys

Jon and Dany finally became reality in the season 7 finale when the Mother of Dragons and the King in the North got it on. Almost simultaneously, we got confirmation of Jon’s Targaryen blood. So yeah... mixed feelings. However, incest and all, few people can imagine a better conclusion than Dany and Jon ruling the Seven Kingdoms together. But this is Game of Thrones, so a happy ending seems unlikely. In the books, legend tells that the first Long Night ended when Azor Ahai sacrificed his wife. Fan theorists have argued that history must repeat itself with Jon and Dany to complete the prophecy. Others have argued that Daenerys is simply doomed to the madness of her bloodline, which will force Jon’s hand.

#4: Tyrion Made a Deal with Cersei

If there’s one thing that Game of Thrones has taught us, it’s that we shouldn’t get emotionally invested in any character. If they’re too kind or pure, they’re likely to meet a horrible fate. If they don’t die, they’ll live to disappoint you. Tyrion is kind-hearted and good, but he is also calculating and utilitarian, not above making sacrifices in the name of the greater good. And in the season 7 finale, he had a tense reunion with his estranged sister, Cersei, and it was heavily implied that we weren’t shown the entirety of their conversation. Could it be that Tyrion cut a deal with his detestable sister that he perceived as necessary for the greater good?

#3: Tyrion is Actually a Targaryen

Tyrion Lannister is the black sheep in his family - and not just in stature. Sure, he’s got his father’s intelligence, but he’s very different in personality. Fans would be thrilled for him to discover alternative parentage, but where’s the proof? Well, how about this line from Tywin: It seemed figurative at the time, but what if it was the truth? In season six, Tyrion frees Daenerys’ dragons without getting roasted. As a rule, without their mother present, they don’t take kindly to strangers - unless Dragon-born. Could Tyrion be the love child of the Mad King and Joanna Lannister? There’s certainly groundwork for it in the books. As Dany says in A Storm of Swords, “the dragon has three heads”.

#2: Bran is the Night King

Game of Thrones involves a lot of moving parts, but few are more befuddling than the role to be played by Bran Stark. In the fifth episode of season six, “The Door”, we learned that Bran can influence the past. Realizing that he effectively gave Hodor brain damage is a harsh lesson in “great power = great responsibility”, but more importantly, the revelation all but guaranteed that Bran has a huge part to play - like sacrificing himself to defeat the Night King. Many have suspected that the Night King is a Stark, so what if it’s actually Bran, having used his Warg and time travel abilities? It would certainly be a cruel twist worthy of George R.R. Martin.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions

Bran Made the Mad King... Mad

Cersei Will Go Full Mad Queen

Khal Drogo will be Resurrected by the Lord of Light

Melisandre Will Bring an Army of Fire

Syrio Forel is Jaqen H’ghar

#1: The White Walkers Will Win

Obviously, this would be an insane and incredibly dark way to end the series, but given the show’s past, we wouldn’t be completely surprised. When Game of Thrones’ penultimate season 1 episode ended with the beheading of Ned Stark, it was a declaration of war against viewer expectations. Since then, it’s been one shocking and dark twist after another - the red wedding, the death of the seemingly victorious Oberyn Martell… just to name a few. In Game of Thrones, the good guys don’t always win. In fact… they rarely do. The shrewdest player usually takes the lead and considering all the human infighting, the Night King currently has the upper hand. It would be a bleak conclusion, but it would be bold and admittedly on-brand.